Inkbird IRF-4S

[gmc2003]

I'm kinda embarrassed to ask this question, but how do you operate this thermometer?

I purchased this from Inkbirds discount post a while back and decided to give it a whirl on a turkey the wife was cooking in the oven(weather is still to nasty to fire up the smoker around here). Anyway I was able to turn it on, and set it to the manual program setting just fine. Then I finally got it read probe number one and thought I set the temp to 160*. I put the probe into the transmitter hole marked #1 and the other end into the turkey. Then the receiver screen went blank. I played around with it for a while longer but to no avail. I went back to the trusty single probe Maverick for the bird.

With spring just around the corner I'd really like to start using the Inkbird as my reserve of frozen smoked meals is quickly diminishing. Does anyone have a simple to understand step-by-step that will help an old man out?

Answers to the obvious questions:

Yes both units were fully charged.
Yes I tried the hole for port 2
Yes I took the black probe cap off.
No, I didn't try the pre-programmed setting.

Appreciate any help you can offer.

Chris

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

Hey Chris,

The receiver screen should not have gone blank.
The display stays on until you manually turn the receiver off.
Not sure is there is a way to do a "reboot" other than with the power button.
I have only used mine twice so I am not an expert by any means.

 

[InThePittBBQ]

I had a small learning curve, when you plug the probes in to the transmitter it feels like they are all the way and it takes a good hard push again to get them to seat against the water tight seals.

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

Maybe take the back cover off, remove and reinstall the battery would reboot it.
If not, then it could be the LCD screen is bad.
However, I am not sure if opening up the receiver would void the warranty.

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

One other thing to try...attach the charging cord and plug the charger in. The receiver unit actually turns on during charging. Worth a shot.

 

[gmc2003]

Thanks guys, I think my problem is I don't know how to set the temp. I get the probe display(on the receiver) to read 160* then it just went blank after a minute or so. The transmitter screen shows what I think are 4 probe positions, but nothing else. With the Maverick once I set the temp and insert the probe into the meat it shows the current temp of the meat and then increases as the meat temp rises. I would think the Inkbird should work similar. I'll be plugging it in on Tuesday to recharge overnight and play with it again on Wednesday(next day off) to see if I can figure it out.

Thanks for the help/suggestions.

Chris

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

You are right. The transmitter displays the four probe positons. When a thermocouple is plugged into one of the recepticles on the transmitter, the temp will be displayed on both the transmitter and the receiver.

 

[gmc2003]

You are right. The transmitter displays the four probe positons. When a thermocouple is plugged into one of the recepticles on the transmitter, the temp will be displayed on both the transmitter and the receiver.

Ok, so either I'm not plugged in correctly or something is wrong with the unit(s). Is it automatically displayed or is there a button to push?
Thanks

Chris

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

Ok, so either I'm not plugged in correctly or something is wrong with the unit(s). Is it automatically displayed or is there a button to push?
Thanks

The temp is automatically displayed on both units.

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

Automatically displayed. No buttons to push.

 

[gmc2003]

Thanks, I will have to recheck my connections when I get it charged up. Is there a button to push to set your desired temp?

Chris

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

 

[gmc2003]

I didn't get anything like that on my display. I have to be doing something wrong.

Chris

 

[weedeater]

Don’t know either. Only used mine once so far. I do remember you have to really push hard to fully seat the plug in. Thought initially something was wrong with mine!

Weedeater

 

[gmc2003]

I'll give it another try on Wednesday and keep my fingers crossed.

Chris

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

Thanks, I will have to recheck my connections when I get it charged up. Is there a button to push to set your desired temp?

Chris

Yes.
Let's say you want to use probe#1 for a setting of 160*.
Push the probe button until the icon in the upper left hand corner flashes.
Next, press the meat button until PROG is displayed at the top of the screen.
I think the default number is 50*. Use the up and down arrows to set your desired temp.

 

[gmc2003]

Now that's what I was missing. Thank you very much. Now I can't wait until Wednesday. I don't remember seeing that in the instructions.

Point for sure.
Chris

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

I didn't get anything like that on my display. I have to be doing something wrong.

Chris

Does the transmitter display the temp when you connect a thermocouple?
If the transmitter displays the temp, but the receiver doesn't, then most likely they lost their pairing.

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

Now that's what I was missing. Thank you very much. Now I can't wait until Wednesday. I don't remember seeing that in the instructions.

Point for sure.
Chris

The manual is confusing. I read it while pushing buttons. LOL.

 

[gmc2003]

I think your post #16 is the answer. I didn't see any of that. So I'm thinking I didn't set it correctly.

Thanks
Chris